Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• 1,000 Virginia National Guard members remain on duty in DC Army News 25 Jan 2021 -- Approximately 1,000 Virginia National Guard members are among more than 7,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from dozens of states remaining in Washington following the presidential inauguration to support local and federal authorities.
• Army and National Guard Leaders Host Briefing on Status of Guard Support to Washington D.C. DoD 25 Jan 2021 -- Acting Army Secretary John E. Whitley; Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief, National Guard Bureau; Army Maj. Gen. William J. Walker, Commanding General, District Of Columbia National Guard
• Army Leaders Provide Update of Guard Activities in Washington DoD News 25 Jan 2021 -- The National Guard will be a force of last resort. Law enforcement will take the lead and be the force of choice should it be necessary, Acting Army Secretary John E. Whitely, said referring to keeping the peace and allowing for peaceful protests in Washington, D.C.
• Nebraska National Guard assists with COVID-19 vaccinations Army News 25 Jan 2021 -- The Nebraska National Guard is vaccinating eligible residents in support of the Department of Health and Human Services' statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Michigan expands its COVID-19 response Army News 25 Jan 2021 -- The Michigan National Guard (MING) is deploying almost 300 additional members to expand its COVID-19 response force for vaccination and testing efforts across the state.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by President Biden in Signing of Executive Order Reversing the 2018 Transgender Military Ban The White House 25 Jan 2021
• Executive Order on Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in Uniform The White House 25 Jan 2021
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Transgender Service in the Military DoD 25 Jan 2021 -- "I fully support the President's direction that all transgender individuals who wish to serve in the United States military and can meet the appropriate standards shall be able to do so openly and free from discrimination."
• Biden Administration Overturns Transgender Exclusion Policy DoD News 25 Jan 2021 -- President Joseph R. Biden signed an executive order overturning the previous administration's ban on the service of transgender individuals in the military.
• Biden Lifts Ban on Transgender People in Military VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- President Joe Biden has issued an executive order that overturns a ban on transgender people serving in the U.S. military.
• Naval District Washington Prepares for Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain US Navy 25 Jan 2021 -- Naval installations within the National Capital Region are preparing to participate in the scheduled exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain (CS/SC) 2021, which is set to take place Feb. 1 - 12.
• Army to strengthen tactical network for Project Convergence 2021 Army News 25 Jan 2021 -- The Army plans to continue building its Integrated Tactical Network as it finishes testing of its handheld and man-packable system radios with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team this month.
• Deploying Marines and Sailors receive COVID-19 vaccine USMC News 25 Jan 2021 -- Deploying Marines and Sailors with II Marine Expeditionary Force received the coronavirus vaccination in preparation for an upcoming overseas deployment at the Russell Marine and Family Services Center in Camp Lejeune, January 15.
• Vice President inaugurates two new facilities at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad India PIB 25 Jan 2021 -- The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today praised the DRDO scientists and engineers for taking India very close to self-reliance in missile technology with their hard work, dedication and perseverance. "Attaining self-reliance in the defence sector is not only of critical or strategic importance for the country, but is also essential in terms of national pride", he said.
• Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu visits Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex India PIB 25 Jan 2021 -- Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Hon'ble Vice President of India, visited DRDO's Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad on 25th January 2021.
• Successful Maiden Test Launch of Akash-NG Missile India PIB 25 Jan 2021 -- DRDO conducted the successful maiden launch of Akash-NG (New Generation) Missile from Integrated Test Range off the coast of Odisha on 25 January 2021. Akash-NG is a new generation Surface to Air Missile meant for use by Indian Air Force with an aim of intercepting high maneuvering low RCS aerial threats.
• Indian Navy conducts Joint Exercise with Army and Air Force India PIB 25 Jan 2021 -- A large-scale tri-service joint amphibious exercise AMPHEX – 21 was conducted in Andaman & Nicobar group of islands from 21 – 25 Jan 2021. The exercise involved participation of Naval ships, amphibious troops of the Army and different types of aircraft from the Air force.
• Joint Military Exercise in Andaman Sea India PIB 25 Jan 2021 -- Towards enhancing joint operational readiness, Indian Armed Forces conducted a large-scale conjoint military training exercise "KAVACH" alongwith "AMPHEX-21" in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
• Official visit by the French Minister of Defence to Greece & signing of the Agreement for the Procurement of "Rafale" Fighter Aircraft (25/01/2021) Greece MND 25 Jan 2021 -- On Monday 25 January 2021 at 13:45 the Minister of Defence of France Mrs. Florence Parly will pay an official visit to the Ministry of National Defence.
• Statements by Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and France's Defence Minister Florence Parly following thw signing of the agreement for the procurement of "RAFALE" fighter aircraft Greece MND 25 Jan 2021 -- The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos welcomed the French Minister of Defence, Ms. Florence Parly,on Monday 25 January 2021, in the Ministry of National Defence.
• Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and France's Defence Minister Florence Parly attend the signing of the agreement for the procurement of "RAFALE" fighter aircraft Greece MND 25 Jan 2021 -- On Monday, 25 January 2021, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos welcomed the French Minister of Defence, Ms. Florence Parly, to the Ministry of National Defence.
• Gen. Baqeri terms recent drills as response to Trump's saber-rattling IRNA 25 Jan 2021 -- Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major-General Mohammad Baqeri said on Monday that holding 10 military drills in 15 days were a response to former US president Donald Trump's saber-rattling.
• Iran military drills forced enemy to abandon threats: Top general Press TV 25 Jan 2021 -- Iran's senior military commander says the country's recent back-to-back military drills had the United States give up its threats of military action against the Islamic Republic.
• "Naval Defender 21" Exercise Continues with Participation of US, British Forces SPA 25 Jan 2021 -- The Royal Saudi Naval Forces continues, with participation of its counterpart United States' Navy and a British Minesweeper, at the Eastern Fleet site, in Jubail.
• Henderson Shipyard becomes sovereign capability powerhouse Australia DOD 25 Jan 2021 -- Australian industry is continuing to reap the benefits of the Morrison Government's unprecedented investment in new infrastructure and shipbuilding activities which is creating thousands of Australian jobs.
• £30-million injection for UK's first uncrewed fighter aircraft UK MOD 25 Jan 2021 -- The UK's first fleet of uncrewed fighter aircraft is one step closer to reality following a £30-million contract to design and manufacture a prototype in a three-year deal supporting more than 100 jobs in Belfast.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, January 25, 2021 The White House 25 Jan 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany The White House 25 Jan 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 25, 2021
• Saab Signs Two Contracts for Next Generation Corvettes for Sweden SAAB 25 Jan 2021 -- Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, (FMV), have signed two agreements concerning the next generation of surface ships and corvettes. A Product Definition Phase for the Mid-Life Upgrades (MLU) of five Visby-class corvettes, as well as a Product Definition Phase for the next generation; Visby Generation 2 corvettes. The collected value of the contracts is 190 MSEK.

Other Conflicts

• 25 January 2021- Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Jan 2021
• Why China Plans to Place Its Super Offshore Oil Rig in a Disputed Sea VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- Chinese authorities plan to position their first homegrown semi-submersible oil rig in a deep-water field in the disputed South China Sea to show rivals how far it's willing to go for energy security and possibly to expand its political clout, observers believe.
• U.S. Carrier Strike Group Sails Into South China Sea Amid Heightened Tensions Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- The United States has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the South China Sea, just days after President Joe Biden took office, drawing a rebuke from China against Washington for the display of force.
• US Condemns Attack on Saudi Capital VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- The United States on Sunday condemned an aerial attack against Saudi Arabia's capital, saying it appeared to be "an attempt to target civilians."
• Syria: 18 children killed since the start of the year, UNICEF reports UN News 25 Jan 2021 -- The brutal fighting in Syria continues to exact a terrible toll on children, with at least 18, including a one-year-old killed in incidents involving explosive weapons and unexploded ordnance, since 1 January, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Sunday. At least 15 others were wounded.
• Arab League welcomes Libyan parties' agreement on unifying institutions, sovereign positions People's Daily 25 Jan 2021 -- The Arab League (AL) welcomed on Sunday the understandings reached by the two parties of the conflict in Libya on unifying national institutions and sovereign positions.
• Investigators in Myanmar Probe Disappearance of 18 Rakhine Villagers Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- Police and local authorities in Rakhine state's Kyauktaw township on Monday took statements from family members of villagers believed to have been abducted last year by Myanmar military forces, with a military spokesman promising explanations if the army is shown to have been involved, Myanmar sources said.
• Bangladesh: Repatriating Small Number of Hindu Rohingya to Myanmar 'Not Our Priority' Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- Bangladesh's priority is returning to Myanmar more than 1 million Muslim Rohingya refugees, not a small group of Hindus among them, Dhaka said Monday in responding to Naypyidaw's demand that some 500 Hindu Rohingya be included in the first phase of repatriation.
• China, India Agree to Speed Up Withdrawal of Troops on Border in Wake of Recent Clashes Sputnik 25 Jan 2021 -- Chinese and Indian military agreed to speed up the withdrawal of advanced troops on the border between the two countries, the Chinese Defence Ministry said.
• Indian Army: Indian, Chinese Troops Face Off Along Border VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- Indian and Chinese soldiers were involved in a fresh clash last week along their disputed border in the eastern Himalayas according to the Indian army. China has not confirmed the incident.
• Latest China-India military talks agree to push for early disengagement as spring nears Global Times 25 Jan 2021 -- China and India on Sunday held the ninth round of the Corps Commander Level Meeting, in which both sides agreed to push for an early disengagement of the frontline troops and continue to stabilize and control the border situation, China's defense ministry announced on Monday.
• Latest China-India border clash fake news: source Global Times 25 Jan 2021 -- Indian media reports on Monday claiming Chinese and Indian troops engaged in a clash three days ago that resulted in injuries on both sides are fake, the Global Times learned from a source on Monday.
• Joint Press Release of the 9th Round of India-China Military Commander-Level Meeting India PIB 25 Jan 2021 -- On January 24, the 9th round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting was held on the Chinese side of the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point. The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of China-India border areas.
• Joint Press Release of the 9th Round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting PLA Daily 25 Jan 2021 -- On January 24, the 9th round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting was held on the Chinese side of the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point. The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of China-India border areas.
• India, China troops clash at disputed border, injuries on both sides Press TV 25 Jan 2021 -- A new clash has broken out between Indian and Chinese soldiers in a disputed border area, leaving several troops injured on both sides.
• Travel Restrictions Announced at Tibetan Monastery in Gansu Ahead of Major Religious Festival Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in northwestern China's Gansu province are imposing restrictions on travel to and from an important Tibetan monastery ahead of a major annual religious festival, requiring the wearing of masks by those attending and forbidding entry even to private vehicles, Tibetan sources say.
• Greece, Turkey Resume Talks on Maritime Disputes in Mediterranean Under Pressure from EU and NATO VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- Greece and Turkey opened their first direct talks in nearly five years in Istanbul Monday to discuss long-standing maritime disputes in the eastern Mediterranean.
• Turkey, Greece hold first round of exploratory talks since 2016 Press TV 25 Jan 2021 -- Greece and Turkey have started a new round of exploratory talks in the Turkish city of Istanbul to settle a long-running dispute over energy exploration and territorial rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
• Six soldiers killed in militant attacks in central Mali Press TV 25 Jan 2021 -- Mali's military says militants have conducted attacks in the country's central region of Mopti, leaving at least six soldiers killed.

News Reports

• US House Delivers Impeachment Articles to Senate VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has officially sent its articles of impeachment to the Senate, charging former President Donald Trump with inciting insurrection in connection with the storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his supporters earlier this month.
• West Virginia Woman Sentenced for Willful Retention of Top Secret National Defense Information and International Parental Kidnapping US Dept. of Justice 25 Jan 2021 -- Elizabeth Jo Shirley, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 97 months of incarceration for unlawfully retaining documents containing national defense information and 36 months of incarceration for international parental kidnapping.
• Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 25 Jan 2021 -- In San Antonio today, 22-year-old Cost resident Jaylyn Christopher Molina, aka Abdur Rahim, admitted to conspiring to provide material support to the designated foreign terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham/Syria (ISIS), announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Gregg N. Sofer and FBI Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division Christopher Combs.
• Alleged Leaders of Gangster Disciples Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charges US Dept. of Justice 25 Jan 2021 -- Seven alleged members of the violent Gangster Disciples gang, including top national and state leaders, are in custody after multiple arrests this morning for their alleged participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving multiple murders, drug trafficking, and other crimes.
• EU To Wait On Russia Sanctions Until Navalny's Fate Is Clear RFE/RL 25 Jan 2021 -- The European Union will wait to see if Russia releases jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny before deciding to impose fresh sanctions, amid heightened calls for tough action after a brutal weekend police crackdown that saw thousands of Russians detained during protests in support the jailed opposition figure.
• EU, US Call on Russia to Immediately Release Navalny, Protesters VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- Foreign Ministers of the European Union are meeting in Brussels Monday to debate the response of the 27-nation bloc to Russia's arrest of opposition leader and Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and the police crackdown on pro-Navalny demonstrators, as pressure grows to impose sanctions on the Kremlin.
• Putin backs free speech, slams as 'dangerous' protests demanding Navalny's release Press TV 25 Jan 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has thrown his weight behind the freedom of expression in the country, but denounced as "dangerous" illegal demonstrations held by supporters of detained Western-backed blogger Alexei Navalny.
• Police Violence A Kick In The Gut To Kremlin Efforts To Tamp Down Protests RFE/RL 25 Jan 2021 -- If it wasn't obvious from the heavy police presence and official warnings how the Kremlin would respond to anti-government protests across Russia, the sound of an OMON officer's swift kick to Margarita Yudina's stomach and her pained screams as her head hit the pavement helped provide clarity.
• HRW Says Response To Protests Show How Rights Standards Have 'Plummeted' In Russia RFE/RL 25 Jan 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) says "extreme" police brutality and "mass" arbitrary detentions during weekend protests across Russia are further evidence of "how low human rights standards have plummeted" in the country.
• Russia's Anti-Doping Agency Will Not Challenge Two-Year Doping Ban RFE/RL 25 Jan 2021 -- Russia's anti-doping agency, RUSADA, says it will not appeal a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to ban Russia from competing as a nation at sports tournaments for two years, including the Tokyo Olympics and the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.
• Russian Ship Begins Work On Nord Stream 2 Pipeline In Danish Waters RFE/RL 25 Jan 2021 -- The Russian vessel tapped to finish the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has begun work in Danish waters just days after the United States sanctioned its parent company.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on January 25, 2021 PRC MofA 25 Jan 2021
• White House Says US Seeks 'New Approach' with China VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- The White House says Washington is being patient as it seeks a "new approach" toward relations with China at a time when the two countries remain in serious "strategic competition."
• Cooperation should continue playing key tone in China-US relations: FM Global Times 25 Jan 2021 -- Cooperation has been the key tone for China-US relations in the past, and should continue playing such role in the future based on broad common interest and huge room for the two sides to team up, China's Foreign Ministry (FM) said Monday.
• China's Xi Jinping Warns Against 'New Cold War' VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the world to come together to fight the coronavirus pandemic and warned against a "new Cold War" in a speech Monday at the World Economic Forum, held virtually this year because of the pandemic.
• China Hits Back at US Label of Genocide in Xinjiang as 'Lies' in Propaganda-Laden Screed Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- China on Monday labeled as "lies" a U.S. designation of abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) as genocide in a report that cites residents it said had flocked to social media to "refute" the claim, but an expert said it would do little to address growing concerns over the situation there.
• Prominent Uyghur Poet and Author Confirmed to Have Died While Imprisoned Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- The oldest of more than a dozen staff members arrested after their Uyghur-run publishing house in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) released "problematic" books has died while serving an 11-year jail term, according to official sources.
• Xi: No social system is superior to the other Global Times 25 Jan 2021 -- Each country is unique with its own history, culture and social system, and none is superior to the other, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday while addressing the World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda.
• Former deputy minister culture and tourism Li Jinzao expelled from Communist Party of China. Global Times 25 Jan 2021 -- Li Jinzao, former deputy minister of culture and tourism, has been expelled from Communist Party of China and discharged from office for taking bribes and gifts, as well as evading investigations.
• China vows unremitting fight against corruption People's Daily 25 Jan 2021 -- China's top disciplinary body on Sunday adopted a communique, vowing unremitting efforts to improve Party conduct, build a clean government and fight corruption to ensure the implementation of the targets and tasks set for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
• China Steps up Charges Against Activists Who Called For Political Change Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in China are stepping up charges against two prominent activists with the New Citizens' Movement detained after an informal gathering of dissidents in the southeastern port city of Xiamen in December 2019.
• Is Jack Ma Helping China Reinforce Communist Regime's Digital Authoritarianism? VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- China's regulators have reiterated that their probe into financial technology giant Ant Group, founded by the beleaguered billionaire Jack Ma, would not undermine the company's development and was not a move against private firms – a message widely seen as a government effort to alleviate market concerns over the entrepreneur and the fate of his business empire, Alibaba Group.
• A Reporter Looks Back: Hong Kong's Martin Lee in 2021 Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- Much has been written about the arrest of the Hong Kong politician and barrister Martin Lee in the spring of last year.
• PLA continues large scale warplane exercises near Taiwan Global Times 25 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly continued large-scale warplane exercises near the island of Taiwan on Sunday by sending 15 warplanes, two more than on Saturday, as Chinese mainland analysts said Monday that the routine drills are becoming increasingly closer to real-life combat.
• China Flexes Military Muscle to Biden With Incursions Near Taiwan Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) flew multiple aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) at the weekend, in a move analysts said was flexing military muscle at the start of the Biden administration.
• Third High-Profile North Korean Diplomat Defected to South Korea in 2019 Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- North Korea's acting ambassador to Kuwait secretly defected to South Korea in 2019, the third in a series of high-profile diplomat defections since 2016, South Korean media reported Monday.
• US General Says US, Iran Entering 'Period of Opportunity;' Former Prisoner Warns Against Softening Stance VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- How relations between the United States and Iran will take shape under the new Biden administration remains to be seen, but one U.S. general says the two foes are entering a "period of opportunity."
• Tehran says no changes seen regarding JCPOA, warns to implement new nuclear law 'word by word' Press TV 25 Jan 2021 -- Tehran says nothing new has happened with regard to the 2015 nuclear agreement it reached with six world powers, which was later ditched by former US President Donald Trump.
• Minister says Iran is pursuing the case of seized tanker IRNA 25 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said on Monday that Iran is pursuing the case of an Iranian oil tanker seized in the Indonesian waters.
• Iran Reportedly Orders Operators To Block Signal Messaging App RFE/RL 25 Jan 2021 -- The Iranian monthly Peivast is reporting that Iran has blocked the private encrypted messaging application Signal, ordering mobile operators to filter it from their networks.
• Indonesian Authorities Probe Iranian, Chinese Crews of Tankers Over Oil Transfer Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- The Indonesian coast guard said Monday it was investigating the Iranian and Chinese crews of two oil tankers after seizing them off West Kalimantan province for allegedly carrying out an illegal ship-to-ship petroleum transfer in territorial waters.
• Indonesia Seizes Iran, Panama-Flagged Tankers Over Suspected Illegal Oil Transfer RFE/RL 25 Jan 2021 -- Indonesia says it has seized an Iranian tanker and Panamanian vessel suspected of illegally transferring oil in the Southeast Asian nation's waters.
• South Korea Culled Nearly 22Mln Farm Birds in 2 Months Due to Bird Flu, Reports Suggest Sputnik 25 Jan 2021 -- Outbreaks of avian influenza at poultry farms across South Korea have prompted the culling of 21.7 million birds since late November, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Monday, citing the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
• Nearly 160 Anti-Lukashenka Protesters Detained In Minsk Over Weekend RFE/RL 25 Jan 2021 -- Almost 160 demonstrators were detained over the weekend in continued protests against strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka's claiming of a landslide victory and a sixth presidential term in an August 2020 election that opposition politicians and hundreds of thousands of citizens contend was stolen.
• EU states no longer consider Guaido Venezuela's interim president, describe him as 'privileged interlocutor' Press TV 25 Jan 2021 -- The European Union has announced that it no longer considers Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido interim president of the Latin American country, describing him as a "privileged interlocutor."
• Portuguese president wins re-election in landslide victory: partial results People's Daily 25 Jan 2021 -- Portuguese incumbent President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was re-elected in Sunday's presidential election, partial results showed.
• Don't Call Us, We'll Call You: Kosovo's Vetting Strategy For Diaspora Voters Adds To Election Chaos RFE/RL 25 Jan 2021 -- Born and raised in New York City, Valentina Duhanaj is a newcomer to Kosovo's elections.
• Cambodian Opposition Leader Should Push for a Speedier Trial, Analysts Say Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- Watchdogs and political analysts are calling on the leader of Cambodia's banned main opposition party to push for a faster trial in an effort to solve political deadlock so the country can move on, the analysts told RFA.
• Petitioners Dispersed, Activists Watched by Police as Vietnam Party Congress Begins Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2021 -- Petitioners calling for help from Vietnam's government in resolving complaints over land grabs and other injustices have been detained in advance of a major Communist Party Congress beginning in the capital Hanoi on Monday, sources say.
• Military Deployed In Lebanon's Tripoli After Protesters Throw Stones at City Hall - Reports Sputnik 25 Jan 2021 -- Lebanon's army is now in control of the center of the country's second-largest city, Tripoli, after demonstrators in the urban center clashed with police, local media reported.
• Uganda Court Orders Opposition Leader Released from House Arrest VOA 25 Jan 2021 -- A high court in Uganda has ordered security forces to end the de facto house arrest of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, calling it unlawful and a violation of his rights.